A night of unrelenting energy and anthemic rock awaited as Ash and The Darkness took to the stage of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. Two bands with distinct yet complementary styles, both delivered electrifying sets that had the crowd on their feet from start to finish.
Opening the evening with a playful nod to the past, Ash entered to the unmistakable theme from The A-Team, setting the tone for what would be a high-energy, nostalgia-fuelled performance. Tim Wheeler and co. wasted no time diving into fan favourites, including the infectious Kung Fu, the ever-iconic Girl from Mars, and the soaring Goldfinger. Their newest single, Jump the Line—a calypso-infused cover of the Harry Belafonte classic, recently featured in Beetlejuice—proved to be an unexpected yet effective addition to the setlist, showcasing the band’s ability to blend fresh ideas with their signature sound. Tight, polished, and effortlessly cool, Ash’s performance served as a reminder of why they remain such an enduring force in alternative rock.
Following Ash’s dynamic performance, The Darkness took the stage, led by the ever-charismatic Justin Hawkins. Justin’s engaging interaction with the crowd was a highlight of the evening, as he effortlessly drew everyone into the band’s vibrant world. Justin, was joined by his brother Dan Hawkins on guitar and backing vocals, local lad, Frankie Poullain on bass, and Rufus Tiger Taylor on drums.
The band treated fans to a mix of new and classic hits, starting their set with “Growing on Me” and “Get your hands off my woman” which warmed the crowd up nicely.
This tour is to promote their new album “Dreams on Toast“, set for release on 28th March. The band played a selection of songs from this which tended to be slightly heavier than the earlier material, adding to the excitement. Justin’s candid remarks, including his expressed disdain for Mumford and Sons, added a touch of humor and personality to the show. The band’s older hits, particularly from the album “Permission to Land,” were met with roaring approval. Notably, during the performance of “I Believe in a Thing Called Love,” (which started with a verse from Zeppelins Immigrant song) the band requested that the audience refrain from using mobile phones and encouraged the crowd to dance which they did with enthusiasm!
The encore finished the evening with another two songs from the new album, the Italian themed “Weekend in Rome” (with added Mandolin) and “I hate myself”. The encore included a special moment when the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to Justin, who had been celebrating his 50th birthday that week. This heartfelt gesture added a personal touch to the concert, making it even more memorable for both the band and the fans. Overall, the concert was a spectacular blend of nostalgia and fresh energy, leaving fans eagerly anticipating The Darkness’s upcoming album and reminiscing about Ash’s timeless classics
Words & pictures: Allan Petrie @albabrae